After each Nuggets game, Benjamin Hochman (new to Facebook!) will breakdown three hot topics of the night

* As I’ll talk about more in tomorrow’s game story, Chauncey Billups and Al Harrington must – must! – find their strokes. Neither guy got into a rhythm, and with Melo out, there are few other guys to lean on.

* Ty Lawson’s scoring was impressive, but what stood out to me were the seven assists – he made smart decisions and brought Denver back into the game.

* Boston is, like, really good. Chauncey called them a “machine.” The Celtics’ bench may be a little iffy, but they start four team-first Hall of Famers and a point guard who is at least worthy of MVP whispers, albeit talks.

BOSTON — Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony will not play tonight due to right knee inflammation. Melo had been struggling in recent games, and after Tuesday’s loss at Charlotte, he also said he was dealing with his lingering cold.

Meanwhile, the Celtics will be basically at full-strength. In other words, early MVP candidate Rajon Rondo will play, coach Doc Rivers said. Rondo, who averages 14.1 assists per game, had a sore left hamstring. Also, center Shaquille O’Neal is available -– he had a bruised right calf.

Chris Dempsey arrived at The Denver Post in Dec. 2003 after seven years at the Boulder Daily Camera, where he primarily covered the University of Colorado football and men's basketball teams. A University of Colorado-Boulder alumnus, Dempsey covers the Nuggets and also chips in on college sports.